The ANC is maintaining its lead in Mpumalanga as vote counting and verification continue, with about 86% of the votes counted by midday on Friday, November 6.

The party is leading provincially with 45.04% of the votes, followed by the DA with 13.44%. The EFF is in third place with 10.62%.

The IEC expects the counting and verification process to be completed by midnight on November 6.

Municipal breakdown reveals shifting support

At municipal level, the ANC is also leading in several municipalities, although its performance varies across the province.

In Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, where 100% of the votes have been counted, the ANC failed to secure an outright majority, receiving 41.05% of the vote. The DA follows with 19.5%, while the EFF is in third place with 14.77%.

In Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, with 89% of the votes counted and verified, the ANC is comfortably ahead with 63.8% of the valid votes. The South African Communist Party is in second place with 10.75%, followed by the EFF with 8.66%.

In the City of Mbombela, where 92% of the votes have been counted, the ANC is leading with 48.91%. The DA has secured 14.02%, followed by the EFF with 12.1%. The newly established Social Democratic Party (SDP) is currently polling at 8.17%.

Meanwhile, in Nkomazi Local Municipality, the ANC holds 54.43% of the vote, with 94% of the ballots counted. The EFF is in second place with 26.56%, while the DA has received 6.29%.

The final election results are expected to be officially announced on Sunday, November 8.